Monteblanco to Host First New Car Group Test

The first manufacturer group test for the new Formula E car is scheduled to take place from 26-28 March at the Monteblanco circuit in Spain.

The test will feature all nine of the Season Five manufacturers: ABT Formel E, BMW AG, DS Automobiles, Jaguar Land Rover, Mahindra Racing, NextEV NIO, Penske Autosport, Renault and Venturi Automobiles. The ABT and Renault entrants are set to be re-named as Audi and Nissan respectively.

The next generation Formula E car has already completed over 2,500 kilometers of initial testing and development at a variety of circuits in France and Spain over the last four months.

The new car is scheduled to be digitally launched on the 30th January before a public unveiling at the Geneva Motor show just prior to the Monteblanco test.

The cars will start to be delivered to the manufacturers the week after the Santiago E-Prix. All manufacturers have so far received their new battery charging infrastructure and other maintenance equipment.

A second group test is likely to be held in April after the inaugural Rome E-Prix.

As well as these two group tests for the new generation car, manufacturers also receive 15 test days outside of the official group tests. Those that supply teams with a customer powertrain get an extra seven days but these must be conducted with the same chassis and battery.

All of the manufacturer test days must be completed by October 1, 2018. Outside of this teams can conduct up to six promotional events with a maximum of three days on track, to a maximum distance of 50 km per event. These have to be completed before the end of the calendar year.

Sam Smith is e-racing365's Formula E Editor. A 20-year veteran in motorsports media, including press officer roles in both the FIA Sportscar Championship and at Lola Group, Smith is a well-known face in the Formula E paddock, where he served as series editor for Motorsport.com from 2014-17. Contact Sam